During the summer we learned the importance of no-kill shelters in Austin. We visited Austin Pets Alive! And the Austin Animal Center. Both of them have the goal to find a forever home to any pet regardless of age, health, species or breed.

The Austin Animal Center is run by the government but it works with programs and partnerships that help it achieve its goal faster. It even works together with Austin Pets Alive! And Austin Humane Society. Not all dogs and cats are found in the shelters, but most of them are in the foster program. Foster animals are the ones that have temporary homes with amazing people that are willing to keep them safe and healthy until they find their home. This is one of the best ways to help shelters, especially during march through june when they overflow with puppies and kittens.

In Austin Pets Alive! We learned that they help other parts of Texas when there are emergencies. Many pets came to the shelter during Hurricane Harvey last year so they had to accommodate them. This shelter has also suffered during rain season. Three years ago it flooded, and it needed help from the community to foster even more pets. One of the most important task on the shelter is socializing the animals. They rely on volunteers to visit the animals and get them used to humans and other animals. In our tours we learn about the different types of pets there are and their needs. For example we now know there are indoor and outdoor cats but also cats that have feline leukemia which are cats that are meant to live with no other pets, but that will love you all the same.